The direct coupling of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers provides an advanced multi-physics analysis capability. Multi-physics analyses are computationally more demanding and require a detailed knowledge of both solvers and good communication between these solvers. Solvers can be fully coupled (two way) feeding information continuously in both directions between solvers or can just be connected in a one direction with the one solver result serving as the initial condition for the secondary solver solution.

Many innovative companies are now routinely using these multi-physics analyses to more accurately quantify reality in performing a greater optimisation of their product to remain competitive. For certain products, this multi-physics approach is essential where either the product operation depends directly on the coupling of physics or where physical testing is difficult and the multi-physics approach provides better confidence.

Examples of multi-physics analyses types are as follows:

Fluid structural interaction (FSI) simulations:

In FSI analyses, CFD is used to more accurately predict flow induced loading on a body and FEA performed to calculate the resultant body structural stress and deformation to check on either avoiding harmful resonances or evaluating structural fatigue life under a cyclic fluid induced loading e.g. vortex shedding.

Advanced thermal stress analyses:

Flow heat transfer coefficients over surfaces are more accurately calculated using the CFD solver and used for FEA static or transient thermal stress analyses / fatigue calculations.